October 2018

'Walking Roots' - shooting tracksIn our Walking Roots project we have been through the prehistoric era, the 'dark ages', the middle ages and the industrial revolution and now we are just reaching times in living memory. At each stage commerce, land use and religion have had a profound effect on how people have travelled. Apparently quite small changes, such as the building of a bridge, have altered whole lives, by making one destination slightly easier to get to than another.

In this month's blog the railway and better roads make our corner of Cumbria more accessible for those visiting for a spot of hunting, shooting and fishing. Country 'sports' have transformed the moorlands and given rise to a whole new network of paths and tracks. The process is still under way today, despite the driven grouse shooting industry becoming increasingly contentious.

A hundred or more years ago, however, it must have seemed a perfectly natural way of life. In fact Walkingworld's HQ, Tufton Lodge, was built just before the turn of the century as a gamekeeper's cottage. You can read about the role of shooting in our upland landscapes in this month's Walking Roots blog.

Smartphone 999 calls now transmit location
Hopefully you'll never need this but it's helpful to know just in case. In the past it's always been best to call 999 from a landline, because the emergency services get an exact location from BT for that telephone. Now a similar facility is built into the iOS and Android software of most newish smartphones (but note, not on other operating systems).

The phone automatically gets your location from your GPS or WiFi connection and transmits it to the call centre. There's no app to download and when you make the call it happens in the background. It also works if you ring 112 and may do while you are abroad, although rollout in other countries is still in the early stages. So best advice for emergencies is to make your 999 call on the newest mobile phone you have available, or a landline.

Winter walking in the AlpsSituated in the heart of the Berchtesgaden National Park - a land of high mountains, deep valleys and crystal-clear Alpine lakes - Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden is one of the prettiest of all Bavarian villages, and an idyllic place to spend the winter.

Inntravel offer a week of winter discovery at Ramsau's Berghotel Rehlegg, a 4-star superior hotel with excellent spa facilities, highly praised cuisine and an extremely warm welcome. The true attraction here, however, is the magnificent snowy scenery, which can be explored on foot by following one of the specially prepared forest or lakeside trails that lie within easy reach of the hotel: walk through an enchanted forest to reach picturesque Hintersee, a lake that has long attracted painters and poets; or head to Klausbachtal to watch wild red deer and chamois feeding. You won't need any specialist equipment to enjoy winter walking, nor any previous experience.

From Ramsau, you can also try your hand at snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, ride the chair lift to Hochschwarzeck for magnificent views, pay a visit to Königsee - Germany's prettiest lake - or to the charming town of Berchtesgaden itself, lying in the shadow of Hitler's 'Eagle's Nest'.

If you like the idea of exploring snow-covered Alpine scenery on foot, Inntravel also offer a winter discovery holiday to the lovely Austrian village of Fuschl am See, as well as a number of special winter walking weeks at magical Guarda in Switzerland's glorious Engadine Valley.

For more information on Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, or on any of Inntravel's holidays in the snow, take a look at inntravel.co.uk or speak to their expert team on 01653 617034.

A brilliant Slovenian adventureWalk Slovenia enjoy a truly stunning location in the foothills of the Julian Alps. They have taken the concept of the traditional skiing chalet break and adapted it to walking, to offer an exceptional all-inclusive guided hiking experience.

The walks can be adjusted to suit all levels and abilities. The routes follow paths through beautiful terrain including dramatic woodlands and wildflower meadows as well as upland alpine pastures and challenging mountain summits that provide some of Europe's most breathtaking views. After your day's hiking you can relax in the picturesque hotel Pri Lenart, awarded 9th best hotel in Europe, and 11th in the World, in Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards 2017.

Walk Slovenia pride themselves on always delighting their guests and providing a unique experience. If you want more information about your Slovenian adventure take a look at the Walk Slovenia website or email at info@walkslovenia.com

Countrystride podcastsThe Cumbrian landscape has been lived and worked in, explored and loved for centuries. A new podcast aims to give expression to the county's iconic landscapes through the voices of its people. The podcast is a collaboration between Keswick-based publisher and producer David Felton and author, illustrator and ex-farmer Mark Richards.

Episodes 1 and 2 look at stories behind Scafell and Sheffield Pike, climbed from Glenridding. In Episode 2, for instance, Mark meets Eddie Pool, the last man in the valley to work down the Greenside Mine. Episode 3 gives a farmers' perspective on life close to Hadrian's Wall, where stockmen and women share their feelings on the age-old cycle of the seasons. More good stuff is to come.

Member news
Mike Pinnock has set out alone at the age of 67 to walk the entire E8 European path, a task he reckons will take him well into his eighties. He started the challenge on Dursey Island, County Cork in the Republic of Ireland and completed the first stage in Dublin City. His book covering this section is called 'Walk East until I Die: A trek through Irish History and Beyond' (Paperback £9.99, Kindle £4.99). More info at www.walkeastuntilidie.com